UTSA provides summer update on pandemic, ends mandatory testing

JUNE 1, 2022 — Editor’s note: The following message was sent today via email from UTSA Recovery Operations to all faculty, staff and students:

Over the past two years, we have learned much from our experiences as we have navigated the pandemic. In addition to learning the best ways to protect ourselves and our communities, we’ve become more adept at assessing viral trends and evaluating local risk level.

We’ve also developed effective systems to provide important resources to our Roadrunners, including vaccines, testing, case reporting, contact tracing and our online cases dashboard.

We will continue to provide these critical services to the UTSA community. Going forward, we will also adjust protocols and procedures as needed based on our current risk level, which is assessed by taking into consideration a wide range of indicators from local, state and federal public health resources. 

Currently, during a period of low-to-medium risk, the following protocols and operations are in place:

• Mandatory testing is no longer in effect as of today, June 1. All testing, including for those experiencing symptoms or who have had a high-risk exposure, is now voluntary. When mandatory testing protocols are not in effect, on-campus tests at the H-E-B Student Union testing site will be billed to the patient’s insurance and out-of-pocket fees may apply. Testing for students at UT Health Wellness 360 will continue to be available. Roadrunners may also explore other options, such as at-home tests or testing at local pharmacies and health clinics.

• The case reporting requirement for positive test results remains in effect.Please note that this includes reporting of positive test results obtained from at-home testing and off-campus testing facilities. The COVID Response Team will continue to provide guidance and assistance to students, faculty and staff.

• In the coming weeks, the Roadrunner Roadmap website will be retired. At that time, UTSA Recovery Operations will become the new hub for information about on-campus vaccine clinics, testing and case reporting, and will also house the confirmed cases dashboard, which will continue to be updated regularly.

The Recovery Operations Team will continue to carefully monitor and evaluate our local risk level and assess the need for adjustments to campus operations. In the event significant operational changes are needed, the campus community will be notified.

As always, thank you for doing your part to help protect the health and safety of our Roadrunner community.